Cherokee County, TX — March 24, 2025, Symphonie Auker was injured in a car accident at about midnight on U.S. Route 79 west of Jacksonville.

A preliminary accident report indicates that a 2019 Nissan Sentra was heading east toward F.M. 3216 when it veered off the road and hit a tree.

Nissan driver Symphonie Auker, 23, was seriously injured in the crash, according to the report.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Cherokee County crash.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

After a serious crash, especially one that happens in the quiet hours of the night, questions tend to linger. There's often a strong urge to understand not just what happened, but why it happened, and whether it could have been prevented. These moments aren’t just about reacting to an emergency. They’re about taking the time to look deeper, ask tougher questions and ensure that every stone gets turned over.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? When a vehicle leaves the roadway and strikes a tree, it's easy to assume the cause lies with the driver. But assuming and knowing are two very different things. A complete investigation should go beyond noting tire marks or taking a few photographs. It should involve detailed scene mapping, a reconstruction of the vehicle’s path and careful consideration of the driver’s condition and actions leading up to the crash. Sadly, not every agency has the resources or training to dig this deep, especially in rural areas or late-night collisions.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? A mechanical issue — whether it’s failed brakes, a stuck throttle or steering trouble — can cause a car to leave the road with no warning. There’s no way to rule this out just by looking at the wreckage. That’s why a thorough post-crash inspection of the vehicle is so important. When that step is skipped, a potential manufacturer defect might go unnoticed, and future accidents could follow.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Most modern cars, including the one involved here, carry electronic control modules that log speed, braking and steering inputs. Pulling that data helps confirm if the driver tried to stop or steer before impact, or if the car didn’t respond as expected. If the driver had a smartphone active at the time, or if nearby cameras caught the moment, those sources can add vital context. But too often, this digital evidence is overlooked in the rush to close a case.

These questions don’t come from doubt. They come from experience. Serious crashes deserve serious answers, and that starts with refusing to accept surface-level explanations.

Plain-language takeaways:

• A good crash investigation digs into every possible cause, not just the obvious ones.
• Car problems like brake or steering failures need to be ruled out with real inspections.
• Data from the car and nearby devices can show what really happened, and often isn't checked.